Exceptional Interior Design with David Netto and Phaidon

D avid Netto is a New York-based interior designer and contributor to Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century (Phaidon), the ultimate global celebration of residential interior design and decorating, featuring more than 400 of the world’s best living spaces. Also featuring Netto’s own work, the book goes beyond decorators, designers, and architects to highlight exquisite interiors designed by fashion designers, artists, style icons, and film stars who have made a unique contribution to the world of interior design. For the month of September, the gallery will host a complimentary library from the esteemed publisher, offering exceptional books on renowned artists and a 20% discount for Sotheby's clients.

Sotheby's: What role does art and design play in your life and work?

David Netto: Well I have children, so they are more important, but other than them art and design are pretty much why I get out of bed in the morning. You’re born with it, or you’re not—the need and instinct to be immersed in good design. But it’s good to be careful about too much fetishism

S: What is the thing you most like to collect?

DN: Watches—one a year to treat myself. French 18th century furniture and objects I never can use, but have a passion to possess. Rare books on the architecture I studied in graduate school. Sculpture by Arp or Alexandre Noll

S: What is your approach to buying art? How have you curated your own collection?

DN: My approach has been successful, but too timid. I should have bought everything I wanted 20 years ago--or just the one big thing I thought I couldn’t afford. I am disciplined about not buying work by an artist until I can understand the difference between what’s good and what’s great, which can take a few years. If you’re a serious collector, there’s not one boring moment in life—you’re always looking

S: Are there any artists or designers you’re particularly excited about at the moment?

DN: Wendell Castle furniture. Elizabeth Garouste furniture. Tapestries by Miro

S: You often collaborate with other designers and brands - how do you choose who to work with and do you have a dream collaborator?

DN: I love to work with Jennifer Nocon, an artist in LA who specializes in ceramics, to make lighting because we are passionate about the same Brutalist pottery and works by Picasso and Besnard. I am working on another lighting collection with a very elegant studio in London that I am excited about—all rattan. Basically I’ll do anything for anybody who’s nice to me, but you know in within a few minutes of conversation if things are clicking. My dream collaboration would be a textile collection for Pierre Frey

S: People often talk about the lure of the Hamptons and the pace of life away from the city. What is it about this place that keeps you coming back, time and again?

DN: My history there keeps my coming back, though for most people I’m not sure the pace is so different from the city. I love the sound of the ocean where I live, and studying the changing light

S: What are your must-see places and haunts on Long Island that no visit would be complete without?

DN: The Big Duck in Riverhead. Shippy’s Pumpernickel in Southampton. Richard Meier’s Saltzman house in Amagansett. Bloom, and the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. Round Swamp Farm in Amagansett. Debby Nevins’ garden in Springs. The Clam Bar

S: There is a long legacy of cultural icons escaping to the Hamptons to recharge or to work on a project (Warhol, Mick Jagger, Truman Capote, Jackson Pollock to name a few). Does it still retain that inspirational charm?

DN: Most certainly. Everybody cool is still out here, just not where you might expect to find them. It’s more surfer-based, less opulent (the cool stuff)

S: If you could only bring piece of jewelry/watch to take with you from the city to the beach, what would you choose?

DN: My steel-banded Panerai Luminor Marina with blue dial. I sleep with it on.

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